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As the reality of Stranger Things coming to a close later this year draws near, it makes us wonder – what lies ahead for the real-life actors who have been immersed in the world of Hawkins, Indiana for nine consecutive years?

Prior to the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards held in Tokyo on May 25, 2025, TopMob.com had a chat with Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo about what lies ahead for them beyond their roles as Mike Wheeler and Dustin Henderson.

Wolfhard expressed his enthusiasm for numerous projects, sharing that he aims to direct more films after his first feature film, “Hell of a Summer”. Additionally, he mentioned a desire to do a voice-over role where people wouldn’t immediately recognize it as him. He found amusement in the fact that every time he has voiced a character, it has been his own voice.

When asked who they’d love to voice act for in animated productions, Wolfhard swiftly pointed out Hayao Miyazaki, the brilliant mind responsible for a large portion of Studio Ghibli’s work.

Matarazzo is also keen to push out of his comfort zone and try new, stranger things.

I find it intriguing to imagine some unique, thought-provoking character developments. My inspiration undoubtedly comes from Andy Serkis and his extraordinary performances. He is an incredibly gifted, expressive, and groundbreaking artist, renowned for transforming into non-human characters on multiple occasions, which appears both terrifyingly challenging and incredibly exciting.

Matarazzo mentioned, “I prefer continuing with tasks I struggle with because it’s stimulating for me to push my limits.

As a movie critic, I’ve found myself constantly battling complacency in my work. Comfort zones are insidious; they sneak up on you like a slow-moving horror film villain, lulling you into a false sense of security before striking without warning. You see, the danger lies not just in the stagnation that comes with comfort, but also in the unconsciousness that often accompanies it.

My aim is always to stay alert, to remain vigilant and focused. I want to be fully present in every film I watch, every review I write, so as to appreciate the intricacies of storytelling and cinematography that may otherwise slip by unnoticed. This pursuit of presence is a never-ending journey, one that requires constant vigilance against the encroaching tendrils of comfort.

I’d certainly feel that way if I were extremely nervous about what I’m doing, as funny as it may sound.

Occasionally, I find myself making decisions that I refer to as ‘typically Dustin’. It’s important for me to be extremely conscious and avoid behaving like him at this moment.

I can certainly relate to that sentiment. After all, spending nearly two and a half decades embodying a character must feel like an integral part of oneself. So, it’s not surprising that the idea of stepping away from playing [Dustin] seems quite daunting.

Both stars express profound gratitude for this experience, with Finn noting, “I take pride in the impact Stranger Things has made on people, and I feel honored to be a part of such an exceptional series and talented ensemble.

“That’s something I’m always gonna be excited about, for sure.

If you’re feeling unsure about what to watch after the series ends, take note: Matarazzo mentioned that anime has played a significant role in shaping “Stranger Things”. So, there are numerous television shows available to help bridge that void left in its wake.

Wolfhard promptly recommended Death Note, a series that shares with Stranger Things Season 1 its focus on well-developed characters and character dynamics.

Meanwhile, Matarazzo believes that similar group shows such as One Piece or Attack on Titan could also attract interest, despite Attack on Titan being darker than what fans of their series may typically prefer.

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Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are available to stream now on Netflix.

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2025-05-28 19:05